Celebrating New Years in Amsterdam (2008/2009)

Netherlands Travel Blog

It was freezing bolzzz outside . . . but the dance floor was warm, the music resounded in celebration and the drinks were flowing, what more could one ask for? This was my first European meet-up but will certainly not be my last. When I first joined TB in October of '07 I did not think to write blogs or plan travels based on information in other peoples blogs. The last thing I was going to do is join in to meet people I have never met in locations as varied as the whole world. As I got bored of all the playfulness and less secure sites like 'My Space' I found interesting reading on Travbuddy. Initially all I did was read through blogs and made no comments of any kind, it felt like taking a walk down memory lane for those countries I had previously visited.

2008/2009 NYE Mega Meet-up, Amsterdam

As my interest grew so did my intrigue and desire to belong and soon the need to correct certain geographical errors forced me to get active. I did so for a period of two months during which time every one responded with such enthusiastic friendliness and encouragement that I was forced to make my profile more agreeable.

The invitation to join groups and request for friendships got me into the active scene and soon I felt like an addict of sorts (well I was and Roselle invited me to the addicts group, lol). When I logged in each morning I told myself I would check my messages and respond to a few comments then get off: I will be lying if I say I did exactly that. I found myself spending an hour or more each morning and extending my wake up time by an hour to accommodate the time I needed each morning (sound familiar to anyone?) to respond to all the smiles, comments and invitation to meet ups and groups.

2008/2009 NYE Mega Meet-up, Amsterdam

Any how to cut the long story short, I got into the travel forums and soon found a place to chat with absolute strangers. But as the world in cyber space turns so do the people on Travbuddy, mine came in the name of Melanie (www.travbuddy.com/mellemel8) and the rest is history.

Melanie got me at hello, she was the most enthusiastic online stranger I had ever met and she got me committed to going to my very first meet up in Las Vegas. From there on I have looked at different options to go to meet-ups including a failed attempt at the Freisland meet-up in the Netherlands. But I thought I would make a grand entry into the European scene by being apart of the biggest meet-up: The New Years Eve Mega Meet-up in Amsterdam.

2008/2009 NYE Mega Meet-up, Amsterdam

James our North America point of contact who was one of the very first people I met at a meet-up keep everyone committed and excited with the continued pictorial updates on the forum. Alex never let any confirmed person go without a reminder for almost 4 months straight (Kudos Alex). By the time I left for Amsterdam a confirmed list of at least 60 Travbuddies was with the organizers, but on the actual day a few confirmed members did not show up, there must be a reason. In attendance were Alex, James, Anna, Edwin, Nick, Rob, Bas, Ket, Grace, Manuel, Lynn, Wendy, Thomas, Sylvie, Bill, Eric, Jim, Joy, Agnes, Mark, Erin, Brett, Dennis, Maggie, Matt, Ryan, Saun, Ashish, . . .

Don't make any changes based on what information I have given. Nothing is in place we are just commenting that he should look into it. I really don't think he will. I think whatever you do it has to work with your time off needs so you enjoy it. Where are you currenltly?

Hawaii....hmmm...it would be a big decision as i was planning another eurotrip for next spring with my army battles...if we take leave we have to take a whole 2 weeks, we are not allowed to split it...i will have to think more on this